Indians, in distinct places; and they entertained each other with stories of their warlike adventures.
2d.—Pesquitomen said to me, "you have led us this way, through the fire; if any mischief should befal us, we shall lay it entirely to you; for we think it was your doing, to bring us this way; you should have told us at Easton, if it was necessary we should go to the general."
I told him, "that I had informed the great men, at Easton, that I then thought it would be best not to let them go from thence, till they had seen the general's letter; and assured them that it was agreeable to the general's pleasure."
3d.—Pesquitomen began to argue with captain Bull and Mr. Hays, upon the same subject, as they did with me, when I went to them with my first message; which was, "that they should tell them, whether the general would claim the land as his own, when he should drive the French away? or, whether the English thought to settle the country? We are always jealous the English will take the land from us. Look, brother, what makes you come with such a large body of men, and make such large roads into our country; we could drive away the French ourselves, without your coming into our country."
Then I desired captain Bull and Mr. Hays to be careful how they argued with the Indians; and be sure to say nothing, that might affront them; for it may prove to our disadvantage, when we come amongst them.
This day we came to Rays-town,[1] and with much diffi-
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- ↑ Ray's town, so named from its first settler (1751), was the chief rendezvous for Forbes's army in this campaign, where he had the stronghold of Fort Bedford built, and whence he made his final advance against Fort Duquesne. From 1760-63, the fort at this place was commanded by Captain Lewis Ourry of the Royal Americans; and its apparent strength saved it from attack by the
